Freedom of Information

Welcome to the Freedom of Information page of TG4

This guide to TG4 and its policies is published under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, (FOI Act). Section 15 requires each public body to publish a guide to its structure, function and services. Section 16 of the Act stipulates that public bodies must publish the procedures and practices which determine their decisions.

TG4 is part funded by public funds from the licence fee and we believe that TG4’s policies and operations should be open to public scrutiny and that access to our records by the public will show that it carries out its public service remit scrupulously and honestly.

This page contains information relating to:

• Freedom of information rights under the Freedom of Information Act 2014
• Information available under the Publication Scheme
• How to make a request
• Fees and Appeals
• Disclosure Log

Freedom of information rights under the Freedom of Information Act 2014

The Freedom of Information Act 2014 provides the following statutory rights:

• A legal right for each person to access information held by a body to which FOI legislation applies
• A legal right for each person to have official information relating to himself/herself amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading
• A legal right to obtain reasons for decisions affecting himself/herself
• You can ask for the following records:
• Any records relating to you personally, whenever they were created
• All other records created after 21 April 1998

A record can be a paper document or information held on computer. It includes, for example, printouts, maps, plans, microfilm, audio-visual material, disks and tapes.

Details of how to make a request and applicable fees are available below.

Information available under the Publication Scheme

Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 requires FOI bodies to prepare and publish a scheme concerning the publication of information by the body in conformity with a model publication scheme or guidelines made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Under the Publication Scheme, each FOI body shall:

• Set out information to assist members of the public in their understanding of the body and its functions;
• Publish the information it holds grouped under the information headings set out in the table below;
  and
• Explain the procedures to get access to information or to establish what information the body holds.

TG4 has published information on various pages on this website. The information and links to the pages are grouped under the information headings set out below under the Publication Scheme. You can choose a heading to find the information under that section.

Information about TG4

• Buneolas
• Bord TG4
• Rialachas Corparáideach
• Foireann TG4
• Ráiteas Príobháideachais
• Téarmaí & Coinníollacha
• Cóid & Ráitis
• Tuarascáil Bhliantúil
• Láithreacha agus Sonraí Teagmhála don Eagraíocht

Services Provided or to be provided to the Public
A broad range of services and supports are available across a wide variety of areas:

• Eolas faoin bProiséas Coimisiúnaithe
• Treoirlínte Léiriúcháin
• Eolas faoi Thairiscintí
• Eolas faoi Dhíolacháin
• Eolas faoi Fholúntais

Other Information to be Published Routinely
In accordance with Section 8 of the FOI Act (publication of information about FOI bodies), this organisation is required to publish its FOI disclosure log on its website.

This disclosure log will provide details of certain FOI requests that do not relate to requests for personal information such as the date of the request, the category of requestor (e.g. journalist, member of the public, member of business/interest group, member of the Oireachtas, member of Local Authority, etc.), a summary description of the FOI request, the decision made and, in the event that the request is granted, the date of release of records.

Accordingly, when acknowledging FOI requests, the applicant is informed of this policy. Details of FOI requests received from April 2016 onwards will be published, as appropriate, in the organisation’s FOI disclosure log on its website.

If the information you require cannot be found here, you may search the site using the ‘Search’ box at the top of the page or contact us by email at asf@tg4.ie

How to make a request
If the information you require is not available through the above mentioned channels, you may wish to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Your FOI request should include the following:

• a declaration that your request is being made under the Freedom of Information Act
• as much detail as possible about the requested records
• the format you wish to receive any records released in (e.g. by post, by e-mail etc.)
• your contact information.

Please note that proof of identity is required in the case of an FOI request for personal information.

Requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 should be made in writing to:

The Freedom of Information Officer
TG4
Baile na hAbhann
Co. na Gaillimhe
asf@tg4.ie

The request should state that the request is being made under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

Note:

• TG4 is required to acknowledge receipt of a request under the Act within ten working days and is obliged to respond to the request within twenty working days (subject to certain exceptions).
• If information is desired in a particular form, (e.g. photocopy, computer disk, etc.), this should be mentioned in your application.
• Please give as much information as possible to enable staff to identify the record.

How far back can I go?
Generally, only requests relating to records after April 1998 apply. There is no time limit on personal records.

How much does it cost?
An application usually costs €15 (€10 for medical card holders). There is no charge for access to personal information.

What is excluded?
Commercially sensitive, personal, or confidential journalistic records cannot be released. Reporter’s notes or off-the-record quotes, whether broadcast or not, are excluded. TG4’s internal reviews or analysis of broadcast programmes are also excluded.

Appeals
If you are not satisfied with the response, you can seek to have the decision re-examined. If you are still unhappy with the decision, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner investigates complaints of non-compliance with FOI legislation and generally promotes a freedom of information culture in the public service.

Office of the Information Commissioner: www.oic.ie

FOI Central Policy Unit: www.foi.gov.ie

 
FOI Disclosure Log 2020 …Click Here…
 
FOI Disclosure Log 2021 …Click Here…
 
FOI Disclosure Log 2022 …Click Here…